Matthew 14 23

Matthew 14:23 kjv

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Matthew 14:23 nkjv

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Matthew 14:23 niv

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

Matthew 14:23 esv

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Matthew 14:23 nlt

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 23 Meaning

After the miraculous feeding of five thousand people, Jesus intentionally dismissed the large crowds and ascended a mountain to seek solitary communion with His Father through prayer. This act demonstrates His consistent dependence on God, His commitment to spiritual discipline amidst immense popularity and ministry demands, and the essential practice of retreating from public life for private fellowship with the Father. He remained in this isolated state of prayer as evening drew near, setting an example of prioritized spiritual renewal.

Matthew 14 23 Context

Matthew 14:23 immediately follows Jesus' miraculous feeding of five thousand people (Matt 14:13-21). This was a monumental public event demonstrating Jesus' divine power and compassion. The enthusiasm of the crowd was so immense that, according to John's Gospel (Jn 6:15), they intended to forcibly make Him king. Rather than capitalize on this popularity or remain immersed in the acclaim, Jesus deliberately separates Himself from the people. He then instructs His disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, creating further separation. The act of ascending a mountain alone to pray serves as a pivotal transition, demonstrating Jesus' intentional retreat for spiritual renewal before His next major public display of power, walking on the water (Matt 14:24-33). Historically, mountains often symbolized places of divine encounter, revelation, and spiritual retreat in the Judeo-Christian tradition. This reflects a consistent pattern in Jesus' life of balancing intense public ministry with profound private communion with the Father.

Matthew 14 23 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A common conjunction that serves as a simple connector, indicating a sequence of events. Here, it smoothly transitions from the preceding miracle and dismissal of the crowds to Jesus' personal action.

• when He had sent...away (ἀπολύσας - apolysas): This is an aorist active participle, denoting a completed action that precedes the main verb. It signifies a decisive and authoritative dismissal by Jesus. The crowds did not disperse on their own; Jesus proactively sent them away, implying His control over the situation and His immediate intent to withdraw. It echoes John's account where He left to avoid being forcibly made king.

• the multitudes (τοὺς ὄχλους - tous ochlous): Refers to the large crowds who had just been fed and witnessed a significant miracle. Their presence represented both human need and potential distraction, requiring intentional separation for prayer.

• He went up (ἀνέβη - anebē): The Greek word denotes ascension, an upward movement. This is a common motif for spiritual seeking in the Bible, signifying leaving the lower, mundane realm for a higher, more sacred space of divine communion.

• on the mountain (εἰς τὸ ὄρος - eis to oros): The definite article ("the") suggests it may have been a familiar place, or simply "a" mountain suitable for retreat. Mountains in biblical narrative (e.g., Sinai, Carmel, the Mount of Olives) are frequently depicted as places for direct encounters with God, revelation, and solemn acts of worship or prayer. It signifies a place of quiet, isolation, and elevation towards God.

• by Himself (κατ' ἰδίαν - kat' idian): Emphasizes solitude and privacy. This withdrawal was deliberate and personal, signifying an unhindered, intimate communion with the Father. It contrasts sharply with the public nature of His recent miracle.

• to pray (προσεύξασθαι - proseuxasthai): The purpose infinitive, explicitly stating the reason for His withdrawal. This highlights Jesus' deep spiritual dependence on the Father, even after performing a mighty miracle and experiencing great popularity. It shows that even the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, lived a life dependent on sustained, private prayer.

• And when evening came (Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης - Opsias de genomenēs): A temporal marker, indicating the transition from late afternoon to dusk or nightfall. This detail not only sets the stage for the next events (Jesus walking on water during the night) but also implies the extended duration of Jesus' solitary prayer.

• He was there alone (μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ - monos ēn ekei): This reiterates and reinforces the state of solitude initiated by "by Himself." It emphasizes that His time on the mountain was indeed private, undisturbed by human presence, dedicated entirely to communion with God.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain": This sequence demonstrates Jesus' active separation from public ministry and human clamor. It underlines His conscious decision to seek divine company over human adulation, illustrating the importance of spiritual boundaries and the discipline of withdrawal for spiritual renewal.
  • "by Himself to pray": This phrase pinpoints the essence of Jesus' action: purposeful solitude for communion with God. It reveals His consistent practice of nurturing His relationship with the Father as the primary source of His strength, wisdom, and authority, setting a profound example for His followers.
  • "when evening came, He was there alone": This part specifies the time and sustained nature of His solitary devotion. It implies a significant period of prayer, highlighting persistence and depth in His spiritual practice. This extended period of intimate communion prepares Him for the next miraculous display of His divine power.

Matthew 14 23 Bonus section

The deliberate withdrawal of Jesus to pray on the mountain after feeding the multitude serves as a vital blueprint for believers regarding spiritual hygiene. It highlights the principle that extraordinary public ministry must be underpinned by equally, if not more, extraordinary private devotion. This act of "filling the well" demonstrates that spiritual energy, clarity, and authority are renewed through direct communion with God, not solely through outward activity. It also counters the worldly temptation to equate success with constant busyness or popular affirmation. Furthermore, Jesus' action could be seen as an intentional renunciation of popular acclamation. In a human sense, after feeding five thousand people, He had maximum leverage. Yet, He abandoned it for private communion with His Father, thus signaling His true Kingdom was not of this world, nor built on popular acclaim but divine will and power.

Matthew 14 23 Commentary

Matthew 14:23 provides a profound glimpse into the private life and spiritual discipline of Jesus. After an astonishing display of power and compassion in feeding thousands, an event that could easily have led to sustained public engagement or popular acclaim, Jesus chose instead to deliberately disengage. His immediate action was not to bask in success or organize further crowds, but to "send the multitudes away" and ascend a mountain "by Himself to pray." This is a crucial lesson in leadership and spirituality: true spiritual power flows from intimate communion with God, not from public adoration or successful ministry events. Jesus modeled that even in the midst of overwhelming ministry demands, and especially after powerful encounters, sustained solitude with the Father is essential for spiritual replenishment, discernment, and preparedness for future challenges. His extended prayer, even as evening came, underscores the depth of His dependence on God and His unwavering commitment to His divine mission. It is a reminder that spiritual life must be consistently nurtured through private communion with the Father, transcending all other immediate pressures.